Application Forms

Application Questions?

Contact the Education Program’s Office if you have questions about the application process for the Alternative Teacher Licensure Program.

Phone: (505) 224-3607

Minimum Requirements

Before applying to the Alternative Teacher Licensure Program, you must meet the following minimum requirements.

Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree (or higher level degree). Degree must be complete prior to applying to the program; you cannot apply while “in progress.”

Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on highest degree earned (or passing score on

appropriate NES Assessment exam)

Passing score on the NES Essential Academic Skills:

Subtest I: Reading

Subtest II: Writing

Subtest III: Mathematics

Ability to pass a Criminal Background Check

Completion of required courses in desired certification area with a “C” or better.

Elementary and Special Education: Requires 30 credits across subject areas. These areas should include 6 credits in each of the following core disciplines: math, science, social studies (history, geography, economics, civics and government), and language arts. If you do not have 6 credits in each of the core disciplines you will be advised to take credits in the missing areas or demonstrate competencies by passing a NES Elementary Assessments. The six remaining credits beyond the 24 required above may be in the same areas, or in art, Spanish, and/or physical education.

Secondary Education: Requires 30 credits in the content area you will be teaching at the secondary level (or 12 graduate level credits). All credits in your content area must be complete prior to application.

A list of “accepted” courses for each endorsement area is available on the Transcript Analysis Form.

Steps Prior to Applying

Enroll as a CNM student (if you are not already a CNM student). Students planning to apply for ATL are recommended to select “non-degree” as their major. After acceptance, students will be eligible to switch into Alternative Teacher Licensure. When it asks for “registration type,” indicate “transfer” (if never attended CNM). It is essential that you provide your previous degree information so that the system can verify you currently hold a Bachelor’s degree.

Step Two: Set Up CNM Accounts

After you enroll, you will receive your CNM ID number and CNM email address. Check email address to make sure it is functioning properly, and contact Information Technology Services if you have questions or are experiencing any technical difficulties.

Step Three: Submit Transcripts

Request that your official transcripts from all other institutions be sent to the CNM Records Office, and allow time for processing.

Note: You must have a transcript on file that shows you completed your Bachelor’s Degree. It can take up to 10 days for transcripts to be processed once received by CNM. When processing is complete, you will receive an email in your CNM email account. If you do not receive an email within a week, contact the Records Office to make sure your transcript was received.

Important notes about transcripts:

If your transcript is from a foreign institution, it must be evaluated (course-by-course evaluation) by a NACES accredited evaluation provider prior to submitting it to CNM. Take this step as soon as possible and allow time for processing.

If you attended an institution that no longer exists, or attended an institution outside of the U.S. and are having trouble obtaining an official transcript, contact the Education Program’s Office to obtain permission to submit an unofficial transcript until the official copy can be located.

If you do not currently hold a NM license (teaching, intern, substitute, or educational assistant) you may want to order two copies of official transcripts: one for CNM, and one for you to later submit for licensure application.

All students are required to have their official transcripts on file at CNM in order for their ATL Program application to be reviewed.

Results of passing the NES Essential Academic Skills - Subtest I: Reading, Subtest II: Writing and Subtest III: Mathematics must be received in order for your application to be processed.

If are interested in pursuing Bilingual Education, you will need to submit results of passing La Prueba de Español para la Certificación Bilingüe with your application. Visit the ENMU Testing Center website for exam dates and registration information.

Next Steps / Additional Information

A confirmation of your application submission will be sent to your CNM email account. It is your responsibility to check your CNM account regularly.

Completed applications will be reviewed and applicants will be notified of their admission status within 14 business days by CNM email.

Students who are accepted to the program are required to officially accept a seat in the Program by a designated deadline and attend an ATL Program Orientation.

Students who do not accept their seat by the designated deadline will be removed from the Program and will be required to reapply to be considered for future cohorts. All application materials would need to be re-submitted.

Individuals who have a teaching offer contingent on obtaining licensure should contact the ATL Program at (505) 224-3607 and inform Meredith Tucker as to the name of the school and the position for which they are being considered.

Accepted candidates will receive an acceptance letter via CNM email. Candidates seeking teaching jobs may use this letter to apply for an intern license with the Public Education Department. Initial Licensure Packets may be accessed from the NMPED website.